January 7, 2015

Just a couple of days after trading for Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith, the Cleveland Cavaliers have executed another trade, this time acquiring center Timofey Mozgov and a 2015 second round pick from the Denver Nuggets in exchange for two protected 2015 first round picks (via Oklahoma City and Memphis), Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced.

Mozgov, best known for getting dunked on by the Clippers' Blake Griffin, is actually a decent big man with good athleticism. More importantly, he fills an immediate need for the Cavs, who lost starting center Anderson Varejao for the year due to an Achilles injury.

This season, Mozgov has appeared in 35 games (all starts) for the Nuggets, averaging 8.5 points on .504 shooting, a career-best 7.8 rebounds and 1.2 blocks in 25.6 minutes per game. The 7-1 center from Russia also has nine double-doubles on the year.

Mozgov, who is in his fifth NBA season, has played in 247 career games (115 starts) with averages of 6.4 points on .513 shooting, a .738 mark from the foul line, 4.9 rebounds and 0.9 blocks in 17.2 minutes per game with New York and Denver. He also won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics with the Russian National team that was coached by David Blatt.

Cleveland conveyed to Denver its right to Oklahoma City’s protected first round draft pick and its right to Memphis’ protected first round draft pick. The Cavs received Denver’s right to the less favorable of Chicago’s own 2015 second round draft pick and Portland’s own 2015 second round draft pick.

Credit the Cavs' brass for attempting to keep things afloat while LeBron James remains out for at least the next week with sore knees. Now with Mozgov in the Cavs rotation, forward Tristan Thompson will not have to play so many minutes out of position at the 5.

Cavaliers waive A.J. Price

In addition to the Mozgov trade, the Cleveland Cavaliers have waived guard A.J. Price, Cavaliers General Manager David Griffin announced.

Price, who was received by waiver claim (waived by Indiana) on Nov. 30, played in 11 games for the Cavaliers this season, averaging 2.0 points and 1.4 rebounds in 7.9 minutes per game. The 6-2 guard was also part of the 2014 Cavs training camp and preseason roster, appearing in six preseason games with Cleveland in October, averaging 7.2 points and 1.5 assists in 13.3 minutes per game. He was inactive for the Cavs first two regular season games before also being waived on November 1.

Newcomer J.R. Smith eligible to play tonight, Shumpert out due to injury

The terms of the three-team trade involving the Cleveland Cavaliers, the New York Knicks and Oklahoma City Thunder have been satisfied by all parties. As a result, newly acquired Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith will be active and available tonight versus the Houston Rockets. Cavaliers guard Iman Shumpert will remain Out after suffering a dislocated left shoulder as a member of the Knicks on Dec. 12 versus the Boston Celtics. He will continue with a treatment and rehabilitation program and be re-evaluated in two weeks. His status will be updated as appropriate.

On Jan. 5, the Cavs acquired guards Iman Shumpert and J.R. Smith from the Knicks and a protected 2015 first round pick from the Oklahoma City Thunder. In exchange, the Cavs sent guard Dion Waiters to the Thunder, and Lou Amundson, Alex Kirk and its own 2019 second round pick to the Knicks. New York also received forward Lance Thomas from Oklahoma City.